Access North America
Your pathway to a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing world.
International market access
You have a great idea and are ready to go global. We’ve got your back.
Our market access programs helps you break into new markets, make new connections, and scale your business globally through immersive experiences and high-impact mentorship. Visit Waterloo to take your business to the next level.
International accelerator programs
access new global markets
We work with founders (and the organizations who support them) looking to actualize their ideas, scale globally, and access the magic of Waterloo, Ontario. Our programming includes:
- Up to 12 weekly workshops with our expert team on topics that include:
- Best practices for doing business in Canada
- Discovering North American customers
- Distribution channels
- Fundraising strategies
- Partnerships models
- IP strategy
- Personalized strategic roadmap for North American market access
- Up to 2 weeks of soft landing immersion programming run out of our facility in Waterloo
- 2 one-to-one mentor hours per week with our world-class mentor team
- Curated connections to potential customers and investors through a demo day at the end of your program
- Peer-to-peer support and networking opportunities
Why Canada
Scale your business globally
Entering the Canadian market is your first step to accessing all of North America. Canada contains:
- Over 17.6K+ startups and with VC investments of CAD $4.4bn in 2020, Canada has solidified its position as the nerve center of the North American startup ecosystem
- The 10th-largest economy in the world, with a GDP of USD 1.6 trillion
- 14 trade agreements with 49 countries with nearly 1.5 billion consumers and a combined GDP of US$60 trillion
- Easy access to resources and connections from the Valley through 117 border crossings into the USA
- A friendly and welcoming business community
17.6K+
startups
10th
largest economy in the world
GDP of US$60
trillion
Why Waterloo
Access the magic of Waterloo
The Waterloo Region is a pillar of innovation and inclusivity. We deliver in-person and virtual platforms that enable programs, events, funding opportunities, and access to partners, so you're never going it alone. Waterloo is known for being:
- Canada’s top startup ecosystem
- The second-highest startup density on the planet
- Home to 3 world-renowned universities and 100+ research institutes
- The birthplace of multinational headquarters like Google, SAP, and BlackBerry
- A thriving incubator ecosystem
- A hotbed of industry experts, funding, and tactical resources
Partners
Meet our international program partners
We take pride in our ability to support international businesses as they enter the Canadian market - whether its by working with them directly, or their local accelerators to develop programming of its own.
